Finding a familiar-looking goateed man floating in a cold drink will not be an uncommon experience for passengers flying upper class with Virgin Atlantic this month.

The ‘Little Richard’ – ice cubes carved in the shape of Sir Richard Branson’s head – will be chilling upper class drinks on selected flights this month to celebrate the launch of the airline’s new in-flight bar.

The ice cubes have been built to scale, using the exact measurements of Branson’s head. The mould for the ice cubes took a team of four designers six weeks to create, using detailed photographic techniques and laser scanning technology to create the perfect likeness of Sir Richard.

A spokesman for Virgin said that the novelty cubes meant “all passengers will be able to enjoy some chill out time with Mr Branson”.